OLSAT Parent FAQ

At TestingMom.com, we’ve gotten a lot of calls and questions from concerned parents regarding the OLSAT 8. We’ve also given a lot of thought to this important feedback. Here’s our comprehensive list of OLSAT 8 FAQ asked by parents like you.

What’s the quickest way to access OLSAT practice questions?

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How long does the OLSAT 8 take?

If the OLSAT is given to younger students (K – 2nd grade), the teacher sets the pace and the test may take up to about an hour.

For older students, the test takes approximately one hour. Ten to  twenty minutes are dedicated to filling out the ID info and answering sample questions on the bubble sheet. Students are then given 40 minutes to complete the entire test. Unlike the CogAT (a similar intelligence test) the OLSAT 8 is not given section by section. They start at the beginning and move through the entire test. The same types of questions are not given together. Instead, students will see a variety of questions  throughout the test.

Is there a penalty for guessing on the OLSAT?

It is advised that students use their best judgement when it comes to choosing an answer, as there is no penalty for guessing. However, help your child solidify a technique for eliminating answers that are clearly wrong.  This way, it will be easier to guess between the answers that are leftover (to increase the chances of guessing right!).

Are OLSAT questions read aloud to the children?

At the 2nd grade level, the questions are read aloud to the kids. Your child will probably be with a group of other students so when you practice, encourage him or her to listen carefully. This way they will be prepared for this group dynamic.  When the teacher is reading the question, your child should either be looking at his or her answer choices in their  test booklet. They should not be looking around the room, or at other students. Instead, they should focus on hearing what is being said.  This is especially important for the verbal questions.

Will they go through the questions one at a time?

Yes, they will go through questions one at a time.

Will the children answer on a separate answer sheet?

Some schools have the children use a separate bubble sheet as they reuse the test booklets. Other schools let the child directly mark an answer in the test booklet.

Will the student be able to revisit any question if they choose to?

Probably not, especially because the teacher reads the questions to the child. Teach your child to look at every answer choice. Then progress to practicing how to eliminate answers that are definitely wrong. This process is especially important before choosing an answer. If they aren’t sure, they should guess between the answers that they did not eliminate.

Click here for our comprehensive information page on the OLSAT.

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